Docking station for tablet device

ABSTRACT

A docking station for a tablet device includes a security frame that is releasably connected to a pedestal. An upper head portion of the pedestal is rotatable through three degrees of freedom to allow for angular adjustment of the frame as it retains a tablet device. Electrical conductivity is maintained through the rotational connection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/667,436, filed Aug. 2, 2017,entitled “DOCKING STATION FOR TABLET DEVICE,” which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/097,171, filed Dec. 4, 2013, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,760,116, entitled “DOCKING STATION FOR TABLET DEVICE,”which claims priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/733,842, filed Dec. 5, 2012, and entitled, “DOCKING STATIONFOR TABLET DEVICE,” the entire content of each of which is incorporatedherein by reference; this application is related to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, filed Jan. 19, 2018, with attorneydocket number 270.P002C3, entitled “DOCKING STATION FOR TABLET DEVICE.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The design disclosed below relates to a docking station for a tabletdevice. More particularly, the design relates to a docking station thatallows the tablet device to be used as a work station, or alternatively,the tablet device can be undocked and used remotely from the workstation position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, electronic tablet devices (or “tablets”) have evolvedsuch that they are now performing many of the functions that wereformerly performed by laptop or desktop computers. The processingcapability of tablets now allow them to perform standard businessfunctions.

Because of their size and portability, one of the problems associatedwith the use of tablets in a business setting relates to physicalsecurity and/or theft of the device itself. The design disclosed hereaddresses these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a summary of the various improvements disclosed in thisdocument.

The disclosed design is a docking station that is primarily intended tobe used in connection with tablet devices. Tablet devices are well-knownelectronic devices. They are sometimes called electronic tablets, tabletcomputers, or just “tablets.”

The docking station disclosed here includes a security frame portion forretaining the tablet. The security frame portion surrounds the tabletand provides a framework for carrying the tablet from place-to-placewhile retained within the security frame.

The frame portion carries or has a first universal adapter thatelectrically couples the tablet to the frame portion. The universaladapter is designed so that it may electrically couple to the differentkinds of connection ports that relate to different brands of tablets. Asa person skilled in the art would know, these connection ports provide ameans for transmitting power and data to and from the tablet.

The docking station also includes a pedestal, or pedestal portion, thatnormally rests on a workstation surface or the like. The pedestal has aconnecting head portion that provides a means for releasably connectingthe above-described frame portion to the pedestal portion. The headportion carries a second universal adapter for electrically coupling thehead portion to the first universal adapter on the frame portion,previously described, when the frame portion is connected or “docked” tothe pedestal portion.

Another feature of the design involves a rotational connection betweenthe head portion of the pedestal and a lower base portion of thepedestal. The rotational connection enables three degrees of angularorientation or adjustment of the head portion relative to the baseportion. This, in turn, allows for adjustment of the view angle of thetablet when it is docked.

The base portion is connectable to or provides electrical connectionports for at least one electrical signal, although preferably, itincludes ports for numerous kinds of electrical connections thatnormally involve power and data. A conductor pathway is provided throughthe base member to the universal adapter carried by the head portion bycrossing the rotational connection between the head portion and the baseportion. This allows electrical connectivity to be maintained regardlessof the angular portion of the frame (and tablet) relative to thepedestal.

Another feature of the design involves locking the frame to thepedestal. While this may be accomplished in different ways, the designdisclosed here includes an electronic lock for additional security

The foregoing summary will become better understood upon review of theattached drawings which are to be taken in conjunction with the writtendescription set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals and letters refer to like partsthroughout the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a docking station constructed inaccordance with the patent claims;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the docking station;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the docking station;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a security frame portion of the dockingstation that holds or retains a tablet;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a back-side part of the security frameportion illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adapter portion of the security frameillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the back-side of the security frameportion illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pedestal portion of the dockingstation illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the head of the pedestal portionillustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 9, but is taken from the back-sideperspective of the pedestal portion;

FIG. 11 is a view of the lower portion of the pedestal portionillustrated in FIG. 8, with a cover removed to reveal an electronicsboard;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the docking station, showing angularrotation of the tablet device; and

FIG. 13 is a top view of FIG. 12 and shows different rotationalpositions of the tablet device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, indicated generallyat 10 is a docking station in accordance with the present disclosure.The docking station 10 includes a security frame portion, indicatedgenerally at 12, and a pedestal portion, indicated generally at 14.

The pedestal portion 14 surrounds and captures a tablet device 16. Theoutline of the tablet's screen is indicated by dashed line 18 in FIG. 1.The activating button on the tablet is indicated at 20.

Although the frame 12 is illustrated here as surrounding and capturingthe tablet 16, it is to be understood that there could be other physicalembodiments that perform the same function without completelysurrounding the entire or full periphery of the tablet 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, further details of the frame portion 12 willnow be described. FIG. 4 illustrates the frame portion 12 without thetablet inside (looking at the front). As can be seen from the Fig., ithas a rectangular peripheral edge 22 that captures the edge of thetablet 16. Depending on the configuration, the edge structure 22 may beprovided with built-in openings for different kinds of tablet accessports (for the purpose of pushing buttons on the tablet or accessingjacks, etc.).

The frame 12 carries a first electrical adapter, indicated generally at24 in FIGS. 4 and 6, that provides the needed electrical connection tothe tablet 16. The adapter 24 is “universal” in that it has a universalconnector fitting 26 that would be shaped to fit a variety of differentkinds of tablets (tablet variations are dictated by brand). Typically,and as a person skilled in the art would understand, the universaladapter 24 provides power and data connections for the tablet—i.e.,power for the device's battery, etc., and data for network or Internetconnections, if hard-wired connections are desired. The conductors forthe universal adapter 24 run through a stem portion 28 (see FIG. 6 ofthe universal adapter 24).

FIG. 5 illustrates the back-side or back plate 30 of the frame portion12. It is surrounded by the edge 22 previously described. As is shown inFIG. 5, it has an opening 30 for capturing the universal adapter 24previously described. When all of these components are assembledtogether, it produces the frame portion of the docking station indicatedin FIG. 4 (the front side) and FIG. 7 (the back side).

Referring now to FIG. 8, reference numeral 14 generally indicates thepedestal portion of the docking station 10. The pedestal portionincludes an upper head portion, indicated generally at 36, and a lowerbase portion, indicated generally at 38. The head portion 36 carries asecond universal adapter 40 that connects into a similar connectorfitting in a recess of 42 of the first adapter 24.

The first adapter 24 releasably rests on protrusions 44, 46 on headportion 36. It has a conventional catch 48 that allows adapter 24 (andtherefore, frame 12) to be releasably connected to and from the pedestalportion 14 (via the head 36).

An advantage to the design is that the portion fitting 40 adjacent thefront face 52 of head portion 36 creates a reliable interface connectionpoint for engagement/disengagement of the first universal adapter 24(and frame portion 12) with the pedestal portion 14.

The head portion 36 is designed to rotate at three physical positions.The first position is indicated by arrow 50 in FIG. 9, which illustratesa circular rotation of the front face 52 of the head portion about anaxis that would project normally out from face 52. When the frameportion 12 is mounted to the pedestal 14, this arrangement provides onedegree of freedom of rotation that would allow the tablet 16 to berotated between portrait and landscape orientations, if desired. Arrow54 in FIG. 10 points to another area designed to allow the head 36 torotate up or down to rotationally lift or lower the screen of the tabletfor vertical positioning, as desired.

Finally, arrow 56 points to a last position for angularly rotating thehead about a vertical or upright axis for angularly adjusting the tabletscreen 16 from left-to-right, as desired.

The physical structure of the above rotational connections can takedifferent forms, using different types of pins or moldings that allowone part to rotate relative to another. In all cases, what is importantabout the design is that it allows three degrees of rotation withoutinterfering with the wiring in the pedestal portion. FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate different possible rotational positions.

In this last respect, FIG. 11 illustrates base portion 38 with its coverplate 60 removed, thus exposing an electronics control board (ECB) 58inside the base portion. A series of electrical connector fittings (USB,etc.) are electrically connected to the ECB 58 for providing data orpower. These electrical signals are passed, via wiring, or a wiringharness, up through the body of the pedestal 14, which is hollow. Theposition of the wiring is schematically indicated by dashed line 63 inFIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pedestal 14 has openings 64, 66 that enablethe wiring to pass through the head space, and through the physical zoneof rotational connections described above. This allows rotation withoutstressing the wiring. The wiring connects to a board 67 upon which thesecond adapter fitting 40 rests. The board 67 provides the wiringconnections to the fitting 40.

Finally, the frame portion 12 could be releasably locked to the pedestalportion via a RFID lock if desired. The ECB 58 in the base portion hassurface space for a RFID sensor 70 that could detect a wireless keycard,if desired. The sensor would activate locks on the head portion, upondetection of the keycard.

It is to be appreciated that the foregoing description sets forth thebest known examples and embodiments. It is not intended that any of theforegoing description be used to limit the scope of the patentprotection. Instead, all patent protection is to be defined solely bythe patent claim or claims that follow this description, theinterpretation of which is to be made according to the legal rules ofpatent claim interpretation and the rules and regulations of the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking station for a tablet device,comprising: a frame assembly for retaining the tablet device, the frameassembly substantially surrounding the tablet device and comprising afirst adapter for electrically coupling the tablet device to at leastthe frame assembly, the first adapter being electrically coupleable to avariety of different types of tablet devices; and a pedestal assemblyfor releasably connecting the frame assembly to the pedestal assemblyvia a locking structure disposed on the pedestal assembly to allow theframe assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly via anassociated unlock feature, the pedestal assembly comprising a secondadapter positioned to create a detachable connection point forelectrically coupling the second adapter to the first adapter while theframe assembly is releasably connected to the pedestal assembly.
 2. Thedocking station of claim 1, wherein the unlock feature comprises anelectronic unlock feature.
 3. The docking station of claim 2, whereinthe electronic unlock feature comprises a wireless unlock feature. 4.The docking station of claim 3, wherein the wireless unlock featurecomprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) unlock feature.
 5. Thedocking station of claim 3, wherein the wireless unlock featurecomprises a sensor operable to detect a wireless key.
 6. The dockingstation of claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) sensor.
 7. The docking station of claim 5, whereinthe sensor activates the locking structure upon detection of thewireless key to allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestalassembly.
 8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the pedestalassembly comprises an electronics control board (ECB) coupleable to oneor more electrical connector fittings for providing at least one of thefollowing for the tablet device: power, networking, communication, or acombination thereof.
 9. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the oneor more electrical connector fittings comprise one or more of thefollowing: one or more universal serial bus (USB) connector fittings;one or more power connector fittings; one or more network connectorfittings; or any combination thereof.
 10. The docking station of claim1, wherein the pedestal assembly provides at least one electricalconnection port for at least one electrical signal.
 11. A dockingstation for a tablet device, comprising: a frame assembly for retainingthe tablet device, the frame assembly substantially surrounding thetablet device and comprising a first adapter having electricallyinterconnected fittings arranged at opposing sides of the frame assemblyfor electrically coupling the tablet device to at least the frameassembly, the first adapter being electrically coupleable to a varietyof different types of tablet devices; and a pedestal assembly having ahead portion for releasably connecting the frame assembly to thepedestal assembly via a locking structure disposed on the head portionto allow the frame assembly to be removed from the pedestal assembly viaan associated unlock feature while retaining the tablet device withinthe frame assembly, the head portion comprising a second adapterpositioned to create a detachable connection point at the head portionfor electrically coupling the second adapter to the first adapter whilethe frame assembly is releasably connected to the head portion of thepedestal assembly.
 12. The docking station of claim 11, wherein theunlock feature comprises an electronic unlock feature.
 13. The dockingstation of claim 12, wherein the electronic unlock feature comprises awireless unlock feature.
 14. The docking station of claim 13, whereinthe wireless unlock feature comprises a radio frequency identification(RFID) unlock feature.
 15. The docking station of claim 13, wherein thewireless unlock feature comprises a sensor operable to detect a wirelesskey.
 16. The docking station of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises aradio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.
 17. The docking station ofclaim 15, wherein the sensor activates the locking structure upondetection of the wireless key to allow the frame assembly to be removedfrom the pedestal assembly.
 18. The docking station of claim 11, whereinthe pedestal assembly comprises an electronics control board (ECB)coupleable to one or more electrical connector fittings for providing atleast one of the following for the tablet device: power, networking,communication, or a combination thereof.
 19. The docking station ofclaim 18, wherein the one or more electrical connector fittings compriseone or more of the following: one or more universal serial bus (USB)connector fittings; one or more power connector fittings; one or morenetwork connector fittings; or any combination thereof.
 20. The dockingstation of claim 11, wherein the pedestal assembly provides at least oneelectrical connection port for at least one electrical signal.
 21. Adocking station for a tablet device, comprising: a frame assembly forretaining the tablet device and having a framework for carrying thetablet device while retained within the frame assembly, the frameassembly substantially surrounding the tablet device and comprising afirst adapter having a first connector fitting positioned at a frontside of the frame assembly and a second connector fitting positioned ata back side of the frame assembly, one or more of the first and thesecond connector fittings being shaped to fit one or more types oftablet devices and capable of electrically coupling the tablet device toat least the frame assembly; and a pedestal assembly comprising a secondadapter positioned on a face of a head portion of the pedestal assemblyto create a detachable connection point for electrically coupling thesecond adapter to the first adapter while the frame assembly isreleasably connected to the pedestal assembly, the pedestal assemblyallowing for three axes of rotation of the frame assembly whilereleasably connected to the pedestal assembly via a locking structure,the locking structure being disposed between guiding members arranged onthe face of the head portion so as to slidably guide the first adapterinto the second adapter to create an electrical pathway extendingthrough the frame assembly and the pedestal assembly for connecting thetablet device to at least one source of an electrical signal.
 22. Thedocking station of claim 21, wherein the framework comprises one or morecarrying means arranged on the frame assembly for carrying the tabletdevice retained within the frame assembly while the frame assembly isremoved from the pedestal assembly.
 23. The docking station of claim 21,wherein the rotation of the frame assembly is implemented via one ormore portions of the pedestal assembly.
 24. The docking station of claim21, wherein the locking structure comprises a sensor operable to detecta wireless key.
 25. The docking station of claim 24, wherein the sensorcomprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.
 26. Thedocking station of claim 24, wherein the sensor activates the lockingstructure upon detection of the wireless key to allow the frame assemblyto be removed from the pedestal assembly.